By Pitts H.R. No. 208
75R6561 BNL-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives takes great
1-2 pleasure in joining the citizens of Ellis County in the celebration
1-3 of Ellis County Day at the Capitol on February 25, 1997; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Occupying 953 square miles of North Central Texas,
1-5 Ellis County is bounded on the east by the rich soils of the
1-6 blackland belt, and the landscape varies from a gently rolling
1-7 terrain to a level plain; and
1-8 WHEREAS, The earliest inhabitants of the county were Tonkawa
1-9 Indians, who pursued the great buffalo herds that once roamed the
1-10 region; one of the first pioneers, W. R. Howe, settled near present
1-11 day Forreston in July 1843, and within seven years, farmers and
1-12 ranchers had flocked to the area; the county was named for Richard
1-13 Ellis, the president of the Convention of 1836 that declared Texas'
1-14 independence from Mexico, and in an 1850 election, Waxahachie was
1-15 chosen as the county seat; and
1-16 WHEREAS, On August 19, 1850, William Hawkins presided over
1-17 the first Ellis County Court, which authorized the expenditure of
1-18 $59 to construct a courthouse; that structure was replaced in 1895
1-19 by the elaborate red sandstone and granite building that is still
1-20 in use today, and the Ellis County Courthouse has earned great
1-21 renown as one of the most beautiful and storied public buildings in
1-22 Texas; and
1-23 WHEREAS, Also known as the Gingerbread Capital of America
1-24 because of its hundreds of beautifully restored Victorian homes,
2-1 Waxahachie is the centerpiece of Ellis County's rich historical
2-2 pride, and the city boasts one of the only remaining Chautauqua
2-3 Auditoriums; built at the turn of the century, the auditorium was
2-4 the venue for religious and cultural events when Waxahachie was
2-5 still a rural town, and now thousands of visitors travel to Ellis
2-6 County each year to relive its history; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Since its settlement in the mid 1800s, Ellis County
2-8 has been recognized as one of the leading agricultural counties in
2-9 the state, and the coming of the railroad in 1871 brought
2-10 additional economic prosperity as top industries from throughout
2-11 the United States established a presence in this historic county;
2-12 the city of Midlothian is home to several such world-class
2-13 companies, including Chapparral Steel Company, Texas Industries,
2-14 Holnam Texas, and North Texas Cement Company, earning the town
2-15 designation as the Cement and Steel Capital of Texas; and
2-16 WHEREAS, This vital economy is supported by an outstanding
2-17 educational system; the first school in Ellis County was organized
2-18 nearly a century and a half ago by Michael Dickson in Milford, and
2-19 today the county hosts two highly regarded colleges, Navarro
2-20 College and Southwestern Assemblies of God University; and
2-21 WHEREAS, In addition to Waxahachie, Midlothian, and Milford,
2-22 Ellis County is home to such thriving communities as Ennis, Red
2-23 Oak, Ovilla, Ferris, Palmer, Bristol, Avalon, Bardwell, Italy, and
2-24 Maypearl, among many others; Ennis, located in the eastern part of
2-25 the county, is a cultural center for Czech heritage, while the Red
2-26 Oak/Ovilla area in northern Ellis County winningly combines the
2-27 charm and beauty of small town life with convenient access to
3-1 downtown Dallas and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport;
3-2 and
3-3 WHEREAS, The residents of Ellis County, in testament to the
3-4 great pride they take in their unique history and heritage, have
3-5 taken steps to restore many of the historical homes and landmarks
3-6 to their former grandeur, and many cities throughout the county are
3-7 enthusiastic participants in the Texas Main Street Project; and
3-8 WHEREAS, Visitors wishing to delve into the region's past can
3-9 explore the Mahoney-Thompson Home, the Ellis County Museum, the
3-10 Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum, and the Larkin Newton Cabin,
3-11 all of which showcase hundreds of antiques and artifacts
3-12 illustrating the history and heritage of Ellis County; and
3-13 WHEREAS, Tourists are also drawn to the county's many diverse
3-14 events and annual festivals; Ennis is home to the Texas Motorplex,
3-15 the Bluebonnet Festival, and the National Polka Festival, while
3-16 Waxahachie is the site of the Scarborough Faire Renaissance
3-17 Festival and the Gingerbread Trail Historic Home Tour; Italy hosts
3-18 the annual Tour de Italia, a 100-mile bicycle tour that draws
3-19 hundreds of cycling enthusiasts, and numerous other fall festivals
3-20 and parades are held by communities throughout the county; and
3-21 WHEREAS, Filmmakers have long been drawn to Ellis County for
3-22 its prime movie locations, and Waxahachie has been recognized by
3-23 the Los Angeles Film Makers Association as "The Best Little
3-24 Hollywood in Texas" and as "Vintage America in Mint Condition"; and
3-25 WHEREAS, All of the cities and communities of Ellis County
3-26 are preparing for commercial, industrial, and residential growth,
3-27 as more and more individuals are discovering the high quality of
4-1 life afforded by the county's high quality school districts,
4-2 responsible citizens, and convenient access to the Metroplex; the
4-3 people of Ellis County face a bright future indeed, and the many
4-4 contributions of the citizens of this modern, energetic community
4-5 have earned the appreciation of all Texans; now, therefore, be it
4-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas
4-7 Legislature hereby recognize February 25, 1997, as Ellis County Day
4-8 at the Capitol and join with the residents of that county in
4-9 celebration of one of Texas' finest communities; and, be it further
4-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
4-11 prepared for the people of Ellis County as an expression of high
4-12 esteem by the Texas House of Representatives.